ST. PAUL, Minn.- The Macalester College Scots lost a tough game at home to the St. Catherine University Wildcats. After the Wildcats built an early lead, St. Catherine was able to coast to a 69-54 victory. The Scots now have a 1-19 (0-15 MIAC) record while the Wildcats improved to 10-10 (7-8 MIAC).
 
The Wildcats struck first with a layup, a play later senior guard Holly Hull (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley Northwest) knocked down a three pointer to give Macalester a 3-2 lead. Throughout the rest of the first quarter, different Scots took turns scoring. At the end of the first quarter, Macalester trailed 13-9.
 
Sophomore guard Celine Sabbagh (Eau Claire, Wis./Regis) pulled the Scots within two points after draining two free throws at the charity stripe to make the score 13-11. After the Wildcats took a 17-11 lead with 8:01 remaining in the half, first year guard Solana Cushing (Minneapolis, Minn./South) made a three ball to make the score 17-14. A Sabbagh layup brought Macalester even closer as they only trailed 17-16. Shortly after, St. Catherine rallied to go on a 15-4 run and take a 32-18 lead into the half.
 
Junior guard Justine Barraza (Burbank, Calif./Harvard Westlake) scored the first points of the third quarter to lessen the Macalester deficit to 32-20. St. Catherine continued to add on to its lead over the course of the third quarter. Throughout the second half, the Scots offense shot 60.8 percent from the field on 14-of-23 shooting. Ultimately, Macalester came up short and lost 69-54.
 
Barraza shouldered the load offensively for the Scots with 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field. Barraza also went 2-for-2 at the charity stripe and tallied four assists. Junior guard Luci Swift (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins) provided a spark off the bench with eight points, four rebounds, and one steal.
 
Macalester will host Carleton College Saturday, February 8, at 3:00 p.m. The Scots will be honoring its lone senior during the game.
 
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